US2900071A - Mechanism for separating egg whites from egg yolks - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 18, 1959 C. H. WILLSEY MECHANISM FOR SEPARATING EGG WHITES FROM EGG YOLKS Original Filed Nov. 2. 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 18, 1959 c.. H. wlLLsEY MEGHANISM FOR SEPARATING EGG WHITES FROM EGG YoLKs 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 2. 1953 INVENTOR.

Aug. 19, 1959 H. W,L, SEY l 2,900,071

MECHANISM FOR SEPARATING EGG WHITES FROM EGG YOLKS Original Filed Nov. 2. 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR.

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MECHANISM FOR SEPARATING EGG WHITES FROM EGG YOLKS Original Filed Nov. 2. 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 l m \J l.` f' l i1 l im Q0? 1m, 01

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MECHANISM FOR SEPARATING EGG WHITES FROM EGG YOLKS Original Filed Nov. 2. 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IINVENTOR. l n (k Y. Zag/ka# -l [ff wz/f/m United States Patent O lVIECHANISM FOR SEPARATING EGG WHITES FROM EGG YOLKS Charles H. Willsey, Topeka, Kans.

Original application November 2, 1953, Serial No. 389,795, now Patent Nor 2,818,096, dated December 31, 1957. Divided and this application April 10, 1957, Serial No. 651,972

6 Claims. (Cl. 198-229) This invention relates to an egg handling apparatus and is more particularly concerned with improvements in mechanism for receiving from a mechanical egg breaking device the contents of successive eggs, for separating the whites from the yolks and for delivering the whites and' the yolks into separate containers.

This application is a division of application Serial No. 389,795, filed November 2, 1953, now Patent No. 2,818,- 096.

Egg breaking machines have heretofore been developed which have incorporated mechanism for breaking or cracking successive eggs at a cracking station, for separating the broken or cracked shell portions of each egg and for delivering the contents by gravity to a further mechanism which thereafter separates the albumen or white from the yolk and delivers the albumen and yolk into separate containers. The mechanisms which have been provided in most of the prior machines of this type for separating the albumen and yolk components of the egg contents have not been entirely satisfactory, principally because they d'o not make adequate provision for elimination of inedible eggs and broken yolks and they do not meet necessary sanitation requirements. Because all the diiculties involved in handling the egg meats have not been solved by the prior mechanisms, such mechanisms have not generally been accepted for commercial adoption.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism, adapted to be incorporated in an egg breaking machine, for receiving the egg contents from the broken shell portions of successive eggs, for conveying the same past an inspection station where broken yolks and inedible eggs may be removed, and for thereafter separating the egg whites from the yolks and depositing the same in separate containers.

`It is a further object of the invention to provide an egg contents separating mechanism adapted for use in an egg cracking machine which is simple in construction, which will operate in an eicient and rapid manner to separate the whites from the yolks, and which can be readily cleaned and maintained in a highly sanitary condition during its operation.

It is another object of the invention to provide an egg contents separating mechanism which comprises a conveyor having mounted in pivoted relation thereon a plurality of containers for receiving, at a cracking station, the contents of successive broken eggs and for carrying the same away from the cracking station along a predetermined path, the containers being first carried past an inspection station where inedible or defective eggs may be removed and then past mechanism for pivoting the containers to an inclined position to separate the whites from the yolks, with a suitable receptacle for receiving the separated whites, and the containers being nally pivoted to dump the yolks into another receptacle as they advance along a further portion of the path of the conveyor.

It is another object of the invention to provide a mech- Patented Aug. 18, 1959 anism for separating egg whites from egg yolks which comprises a conveyor having a plurality of receptacles mounted thereon, with each of the receptacles detachably connected to the conveyor and comprising a base portion or pan for receiving the whole egg contents and a yolk cup portion arrangedrin angular relation to the base portion along an open edge of the base portion, the yolk cup being of a size sufficient to receive the yolk and having a portion of the edge thereof free at the top which permits the whites to be drained thereover into a collecting receptacle arranged beneath the conveyor when the receptacle is tilted relative to the conveyor at a predetermined point along the path of travel of the same.

It is another object of the invention to provide in a mechanism for separating egg whites and yolks wherein a plurality of receptacles are mounted on an endless conveyor for receiving the whole egg contents, which receptacles are pivotally connected to the conveyor and so constructed that they may be tilted relative to the conveyor at a predetermined point along the path of movement thereof to allow the egg white to drain over the edge of a cup forming portion which receives and retains the egg yolks, devices which are arranged adjacent the path of the tilted receptacle to engage the mass of egg white as it drains over the edge of the cup and pull the same away from the receptacle whereby to separate a maximum amount thereof from the yolk, the latter being retained in the receptacle for subsequent deposit in a separate container.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in an egg cracking machine an egg contents receiving and separating mechanism comprising a plurality of receiving cups which are pivotally and removably mounted on an endless conveyor, an inspection station adjacent the point where the eggs are broken and dumped into the cups, so that the contents of each cup may be observed by the operator and any cup desired may be completely removed from the conveyor, the mechanism being so arranged that any cup in which a broken yolk is observed or in which an inedible egg has been received may be operated to dump the entire contents thereof into receptacles provided therefor, and a Washing mechanism arranged adjacent the path of movement of the conveyor for washing and sterilizing those cups which have been dumped to dispose of or eliminate an inediblle or broken egg.

It is another object of the invention to provide an egg separating mechanism which comprises an endless conveyor, and a plurality of receptacles mounted thereon for receiving the egg contents, which receptacles are so constructed that they operate to separate the egg whites from the yolks and deliver the same into separate containers, with the egg white receiving container being arranged 'adjacent the operator to permit inspection of the egg whites after they are separated from the yolks and allow the operator to separate out and deliver to a separate receiving receptacle any undesired portion of the egg white. v

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the mechanism which is shown by way of illustrationfin the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a separating conveyor having incorporated therein mechanism embodying the principal features ofthe invention, with portions thereof broken away; g

Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken on the lineZ-Z of Fig. l, to an enlarged scale;

Fig. 3 is a section takenon the line 3-3 of Fig.v 1, Yto

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Fig. 7 is a verticalA section taken on the line 7-7 of Y Fig. l, to an enlarged scale and with portions broken away;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

' Fig. 9 isa section takenon the line 9f-9 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a section taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 1'.

:The present mechanism may be employed with any cracking mechanism in which successive eggs are brought up a cracking station, each successive egg is cracked and the shell separated into two portions permitting the contents to be dumped or allowed to fall by gravity into a receptacle positioned beneath the same. The present mechanism provides a plurality of receptacles mounted an an endless conveyor which moves the receptacles to position them at the cracking station for receiving the whole egg contents and then moves them away along a predetermined path, with each successive receptacle being moved to the cracking station in proper timed relation to receive the contents of a single egg.

Referring to the drawings, the conveyor 10, which is illustrated, comprises an endless chain 11, mounted on sprockets 12, 13, 14 and 15, which are arranged in rectangular relation.v The sprockets 12, 13, 14 and 15 are supported on vertically extending shafts 16, 17, 18 and 19, respectively, which are journaled in a suitable supporting frame structure 20. The chain 11 moves in a horizontal path and carries a plurality of egg contents receiving receptacles 21 which are pivotally mounted thereon and adapted to be supported in an outwardly or downwardly extending relation thereto. Each of the receptacles 21 is detachably supported on the chain 11 by means of a bracket 2 2.

The bracket 22 (Figs. 3 and 4) includes asplate-like horizontal base portion 23 permanently secured to the top of a link of the chain 11 and a vertical portion 24 depending therefrom in outwardly spaced relation and terminating in a reversely bent upwardly extending outer flange portion 25 which provides with the base portion 24 an upwardly opening pocket or recess for receiving a bail 26 attached to the receptacle 21. A generally U-shaped latch member 27 is pivotally mounted at 28 on the base plate 23. tThe latching member 27 hasV its leg portions 29 depending along opposite side edges of the vertical base portion 24 and normally positioned in latching relation preventing removal of the bail 26 from the pocket in which it is received. The top or bight portion 30 of the latching member 27 extends upwardly and rearwardly and serves as a handle for pivoting the legs 29 about the pivot 28 and out of latching relation to permit removal of the bail 26 from the pocket.

Each of the receptacles 21 (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) comprises a pan-like base portion 31 of generally rectangular shape having upstanding side walls 32, 33 and 34 and a bottom wall consisting of two portions 35 and 36, the latter being inclined upwardly towards the open side of the receptacle and terminating in a depressed or recessed portion forming a yolk cup 37 which is secured to the outer edge thereof. The yolk cup 37 is arranged with the upper open edge approximately in the plane of the inclined bottom portion 36 and forms therewith the outer side wall. A rod-like guard member 38, of substantially the same curvature as the top edge 39 of the yolk cup 37, is arranged in outwardly spaced relation to the outer side of the edge 39 of the cup 37, the ends thereof being secured to inwardly angled extensions 40 and 41 on the side walls 32A and 33 of the receptacle 21. With the members arranged as described sucient space, in the form of Va semi-circular aperture, is allowed around the major portion of the top edge 39 of the yolk cup 37 to permit the'egg white to drain down Varound the edge 39 when the egg contents are moved, by tilting the receptacle 2 1, from the bottom portion 35 of the receptacle over the bottom portion 36 to the yolk cup 37, the latterbeing of sucient size to receive the eggr yolk but not thewhite.

AV strap or rod member 42 for selectively supporting the outer. end of the receptacle 21 on a support rail 51 (Figs. 1 and 3) is arranged on the lower side of the receptacle 21. The rod 42 is mounted in a pair of spaced angle brackets 43 and 44 which are arranged on the lower surface of the bottom forward Wall portion 36 and provided with suitable guideway forming apertures 45 and 46 for receivingin freely sliding relationtherein the rod member 42. The inner end of the rod member42 has an enlarged head 47 which limits the movement ofthe member 42 in the outer direction by engagement with bracket 44. lt is also provided with an enlarged collar formation 48 arranged. a predetermined distance from the outer endto limit themovement of the samein the oppositeorV inward direction by engagement with the bracket 43.

The receptacles 21-are ldetachably connected to the conveyor chain 11 by the bail members 26 which are attached to the upstanding inner end Wall 34 and received in the brackets 22. They are carried by movement'of the chain 11 into position at a cracking station, indicated at 50 in Fig. l, where each receptacle receives the contents of a broken egg,

A receptacle supporting vrail 51. is arranged on brackets 52 and 53 to support the receptacles 21 in normal horizontal position as shown in Fig. 3 by engaging beneath the projecting ends of the rod members 42, the latter being in extended position. 21 are moved into position at the cracking station 50l they receive the egg contents of successive broken eggs,

the combined white and yolk of a single egg being dumped into the tray portion 31 of each receptacle and falling initially on the bottom members 35 and 36. The receptacles 21 are retained by the rail 51 in a horizontal position along a portion of the path of movement thereof which constitutes an inspection station 54, permitting visual inspection of the egg contents of each receptacle by the operator of the machine who is positioned at the station 54. During this movement, if the operator observes that an egg contents is spoiled, damaged, or otherwise objectionable the receptacle 21 in which it is found may be readily detached from its supporting bracket 22 and completely removed from the conveyor 10. Alternatively, it may be noted for disposition lat a further point yalong the path of travel of the conveyor lin the following manner. If the operator observes an egg contents in which the yolk is broken but the egg is otherwise unspoiled the receptacle may be conditioned for dumping of the entire contents thereof by moving the slide rod 42 to its innermost or retracted position. With the rod 42 retracted the receptacle 21 remains in the horizontal position until it reaches the end 55 of the support bar 51 whereupon it pivots on the bail 26 and dumps the entire contents of the receptacle 2'1 into a chute 56 (Fig. 5) which extends beneath the conveyor 10 to a whole egg receptacle 57 preferably positioned at the opposite or far side of the conveyor 10. An adjoining chute 58 extends at the inspection station S4 beneath the cracking station 50 and permits the operator to salvage as whole egg the contents of any receptacle 21 which may have been removed from the conveyor land subsequently found to be unspoiled, or any whole egg contents -which has been removed from the conveyor because of the deposit in the receptacle 21 of a portion of the shell or other foreign material which can be readily removed by the operator.

The supporting rail or bar 51 terminates at the en 55 where an auxiliary rail 59 is secured in outwardly oiset relation to the rail 51 and extends from the terminus 55 to a further :rail section 60.

The supporting rail section 59 is connected by angular end sections to the longitudinally spaced endsof the rails 51 and 60. The rail section 59 extends for a sutlicient distance to permit dumping of selected receptacles 21 'at two different points along the same. Immediately adjacent the end 55 of the rail 51 the chute 56 is provided beneath the section 5 9 to receive the whole As successive receptacles i and edible eggs as heretofore described. An adjoining chute 61 is positioned in spaced relation to the chute 56 and is inclined forwardly and downwardly so that its open side drains into a collecting receptacle 62 positioned beneath the same. IIhe chute 61 (Fig. 6) is provided to permit the operator to dispose of or dump the entire contents of a receptacle 21 when it is observed that the contents of such lreceptacle is inedible. The operator dumps the contents of the receptacle 21 into the chute 61 by manually retracting the supporting rod 42 immediately'after the receptacle passes the chute 56. When a receptacle 21 is dumped to dispose of its contents either into collecting chute 56 or chute 61 the receptacle remains attached to the conveyor chain 11 and is advanced along the path of the conveyor in a suspended generallly vertical position to the washing mechanism, which will be described.

The supporting rail section 60 is inclined in the direction of the advancing movement of the conveyor to permit the receptacles 21, which remain in horizontal position with the supporting bar 4Z extended, to be tilted to a position where the top edge 39 of the cup portion 37 of the receptacle is substantially horizontal, thereby causing the white of the egg to flow out over the same and into a collecting receptacle or pan 63 which extends in outwardly olset relation beneath the conveyor at this point. The bottom or oor portion 64 of the pan 63 is tilted or angled to support the receptacles 21 as they move thereover so that the white of the egg, which tends to cling to the yolk in the cup 37, is dragged across a substantial amount of the lloor 64 and is thereby frictionally pulled loose from the receptacle 21. The pan 63 is tilted lengthwise at an angle suicient to cause the egg white or albumen accumulated therein to drain towards the far end of the same in the direction of the advancing movement of the receptacles 21. The pan 63 extends a substantial distance along the front of the conveyor and around the end thereof, with theend portion 65 terminating at the partition forming end wall 66.

Adjacent the end wall 66 a drainage outlet 67 is provided which is connected by a hose or other conduit 68 to an inspection tray or pan 69 atvthe inspection station 54. The inspection pan 69 (Figs. l, 5 and 6) is generally elongate and relatively shallow. It is divided by a lengthwise extending partition 70 into two compartments 71 and 72. The conduit 68 is connected with the inspection pan 69 through an aperture 73 in an end wall anddelivers the egg whites from the collecting pan or tray 63, 65 into the compartmentl. An aperture 74 at the other end of the compartment 71 which is located somewhat above the bottom of the pan delivers the egg whites to a conduit 75 which empties into a nal receiving vessel (not shown). The other compartment 72 is provided with a discharge opening 76 in the bottom thereof which is connected by the conduit 77 with the chute 56 for delivery of the contents thereof to the whole egg receptacle 57. The operator at station 54 is able to observe the condition of the egg white material as it accumulates in the inspection pan 69 and to remove any portions or other undesirable material which may be observed therein by scraping the same across the partition 70 and intothe compartment 72 by means of a paddle or the like which is provided for use by the operator for such purpose, such material not being objectionable in the whole egg accumulating receptacle 57.

As the receptacles 21 move around the end oi the conveyor above the collecting pan portion 65 they are raised to a horizontal position by an upwardly inclined portion 78 of a rail or supporting bar 79 which extends around to a point at the far side of the conveyor 10. The upwardly inclined portion 78 of the rail 79 has mounted thereon in spaced relation a plurality of spaced comblike elements 80, 81 and 82 (Figs. 1 and 7) which are provided for engaging the egg whites which are not pulled loose from the yolks by 'frictional engagement with the bottom of pan 63. The comb- like devices 80, 81 and 82 may be identical except for the angle at which they extend outwardly of the rail portion 78.

Each of the comb-like Idevices comprises a supporting bar 83 extending outwardly from the supporting rail section 78 and having mounted thereon a plurality of spaced wire-like teeth 84. The egg white is dragged across the successive comb arrangements 80, 81 and 82 if it has not already been pulled loose from the receptacle 21 by move-l ment across the bottom 64 of the pan 63. The teeth 84 exert a further frictional pull on the trailing portion of the egg white to loosen it lfrom the yolk and `from clinging engagement with the receptacle 21 for deposit in the collecting pan 63.

With the arrangement described the egg white is separated from the yolk and deposited in the pan 63 as each receptacle 2l isY advanced to the rail 79, on which the receptacles, carrying the yolk only, are supported until they reach the chute 85 on the far side of the machine where the supporting rail 79 terminates and the receptacles are dumped to deliver the yolk to the chute 85 and into `a suitable receptacle 86 for accumulating the same.

An accumulating or collecting pan 87 is provided along the conveyor at the rear of the mechanism beneath the path of travel of the receptacles 21, extending from the pan end or partition 66 toa point beneath the yolk delivery chute 85 in downwardly inclined relation so. that it drains into the whole egg receiving tank 57, thus disposing of any egg white which may drain from the receptacles 21 after they pass the end wall 66 of the pan 63.

An apparatus for washing and sterilizing the receptacles 2l from which the contents have been dumped at the chutes 56 and 61 is arranged at the end of the con-y veyor (Figs. 4, 7, 8 and 9). The dumped receptacles 21 hang free in depending relation from the conveyor chain l1 and pass in back of the Ialbumen collecting pan 63, in the space 88 provided between the pan 63 and the frame member or apron 89 which extends below the conveyor chain 11 as the receptacles move along the front of the conveyor and to the washing compartment.

The washing mechanism is enclosed in a compartment 90, extending at the end of the conveyor, which compartment is open at the opposite ends to provide for passage of the receptacles 21. At the approach end splashy guand members or flexible baes 91 and 92 are arranged which are secured along their vertical edges to the compartment back and :front wall forming members 93 and 94, respectively. As the exit end of the compartment 90, a single baille member 95 is provided which is secured to the front. wall member 94. A portion of the top of the compartment is normally closed by a removable shield or cover member 96 which is detachably connected by screws 9]V or other fastening means to `the front wall member 94 and extends diagonally downwardly and outwardly of the conveyor chain 11 with an aperture 98 being provided to permit passage of the depending receptacles 21 through the compartment. The cover member 96 is arranged to permit the receptacles 21 which have not been dumped to extend downwardly and outwardly of the conveyor 10, at the proper angle for drainage of the egg white into the end portion 65 of the collecting pan 63 which extends along and is supported from the wall member 94 at this. end of the conveyor.

The inner or back Wall member 93 of the compartment supports, intermediate the top and bottom edges thereof,y

a valve 99 which is connected by conduit 100 with a washing fluid supply, which may be hot water or the like. The valve 99 is also connected by means of the conduit 101 with a nozzle yM2 which is positioned within the compartment 90 adjacent the outer wall 94 and directed toward the inner wall 93 so that liquid discharged through the same will strike the depending receptacles 21 as they move past the same in the compartment 90. The valve 99 is provided with a spring pressed operating plunger 103 which extends through the wall 93 and is engaged by a trip lever 104, the latter being pivoted at 105 to the wall 93, andbeing operable by engagement with the receptacles 2-1 as they pass in front of the same. Preferably, a guide rod 106 extends horizontally through the compartment y90 and holds the depending receptacles 21 in proper position toV strike the valve operating trip lever 104 ras they approach and move past the nozzle 102. The bottom Awall 167 of the compartment 90 is apertured and provided -with a suitable drainage connection S to permit of disposal of the liquid used in washing the receptacles 21. The receptacles 21 as `they emerge from the washing compartment 90 and pass the baffle 95 remain in depending relation until they reach the upwardly inclined end 109 of the supporting rail 51 which moves them into horizontal position together with other receptacles 21 which have not passed through the washing apparatus. The drip pan 87 and the yolk discharge chute 85 are arranged so that there is clearance adjacent the conveyor 10 yfor passage of the cleaned and sterilized receptacles 21 after they leave the washing apparatus.

While only one chute 85 is provided for receiving the egg yolks, additional means for separating light and dark` yolks may be provided such as the arrangement shown in my copending application, Serial No. 315,447, now Patent No. 2,760,536, dated August 28, 1956, which permit the operator to position the supporting bars or rods 42 for selective dumping in one chute or the other as required for the separation. The positioning of the bar 42 would, of course, be accomplished by the operator subsequent to passage of the receptacle 21 beyond the supporting bar 59.

The various drip pans and chutes 58, 56, 61, 63,-87 and 85 are all supported on suitable brackets extending from the machine frame and preferably are readily removable or -detachably supported or attached to the same so that they may be easily removed yfor cleaning when required. The receptacles 21 are, of course, detachably mounted on the chain 11 and may be removed for individual cleaning and sterilization at any time. All other parts which are likely to come in contact with the egg contents and which are not removably mounted may be readily cleaned on the machine, so that the entire mechanism may be kept in a sanitarycondition at all times. l

While specific details of construction have Ibeen referred to in describing the illustrated form of the mechanism, it will be understood that other details of construction may be resorted to within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

l. In an egg separating machine having a single line endless conveyor supported for movement in a horizontal plane and a plurality of egg separating cups mounted in single line relation at successive points along said conveyor, hinge means for connecting each of said cups for free swinging movement transversely of the conveyor, means mounted along the conveyor in outwardly spaced relation thereto for supporting the cups in outwardly extending relation while they are advanced by the conveyor, means yforming a passageway between the conveyor and said cup supporting means which passageway extends along beneath the conveyor andV said cup supporting means, said cups having means which is selectively movable for engagement or non-engagement with said cup supporting means whereby certain of said cups are carried by said conveyor onto said cup supporting means and other cups are allowed to swing to a position in depending relation on said conveyor and are advanced through said passageway, a spray nozzle mounted in a fixed position in said passageway and located to direct a spray laterally of said conveyor and again-st a cup which is in depending position onjsaid Conv eyor, means including a valve operatively connected to said nozzle Ifor supplying a cleaning uid to said nozzle, meansV operatively associated-with said valve andoperated'by a depending cup on said conveyor to open and close said valve, and means in saidpassageway to guide the cups which are positioned in depending relation on said conveyor through. said passageway and past said sp'raynozzle.`V Y i' f 2. In anegg separating machine, an endless conveyor, means connected` to the conveyor for driving the same, a plurality of egg separating cups mounted in single line arrangement Yonfsaid conveyor for movement therewith, hinge means for each cupv located on anaxis parallel to the line ofmovement of said conveyor, lixed relativeto said conveyor and supporting its cup for 4free oscillation about said axis, means positioned in outwardly spaced relation along said conveyor andvadapted to support, said cups in outwardly extending position Yrelative to said conveyor, means on each of said cups adapted to. be manually adjusted for engaging the cup with said cup supporting means or for permitting the cup to swing free of said cups supporting means to a depending position on said conveyor, a` spray nozzle mounted in fixed relation below a portion of said cup supporting means and positioned to direct a spray laterally of the path of movement of said conveyor and below the same, means including a control valve connected to said spray nozzle to supply a cup cleaning liquid to said spray nozzle, means connected to said control valve and operated by a cup carried in depending relation on. said conveyor for opening and closing said valve and means adjacent said spray nozzle to guide said depending cup past said spray nozzle as it is advanced by movement of said conveyor.

3. In anegg separating machine, an endless conveyor mounted for movementl in a generally horizontal plane, means connected to the conveyor for driving the same, a plurality of egg separating devices mounted in single line arrangement along the outer edge of said conveyor for movement therewith, hinge means for each separating device located on an axis parallel to the line of movement of said conveyor, xed relative to said conveyor and supporting its separating device for Afree oscillation about said axis, means positioned in outwardly spaced relation along said conveyor and adapted to support said separating devices in outwardly extending position relative to said conveyor, said separating devices having means which is manually operative between extended and retracted position for engaging selectedY separating devices with said supporting means and #for permitting other separating devices to swing to a depending vertical position on said conveyor, a spray nozzle mounted in iixed relation below a portion of said supporting means and extending in a direction laterally of the path of movement of said conveyor, means including a control valve connected to said spray nozzle to supply a fluid to said spray nozzle, means connected to said control valve and operated by a separating `device carried in depending relation on said conveyor for opening and closing said valve and means adjacent said conveyor to guide said depending separating device to said spray nozzle as -it is advanced by movement of said conveyor.

4. In an egg separating apparatus` having an endless conveyor, a plurality of egg contents receiving receptacles pivotally mounted in single line relation on said endless conveyor, a receptacle supporting means extending along said conveyor for supporting the receptacles in outwardly extended relation thereto, said receptacles including means selectively movable for engagement or non-engagement with the receptacle supporting means to permit certain of said receptacles toswing to a depending position relative to said conveyor, means forming a washing chamber beneath saidrconveyor and in1 the path of the receptacles when they are in depending position on the conveyor, said chamberforming means being .open at the top thereofk to permit passage off the Vdepending receptacles, a spray nozzle mounted in said'chamber forming meanspwhichpis positioned-'to direct `a spray laterally ofthe direction of travel of the conveyorfagainst a receptacle depending therefrom, means adjacent said spray nozzle for guiding said depending receptacles past said spray nozzle while they 'are advanced by the conveyor, means connected to said spray nozzle for supplying said spray nozzle with a cleaning fluid, a iluid control valve in the fluid supply means, and means actuated by the depending receptacles upon advancing movement of the depending receptacles through said chamber to operate said control valve.

5. In an egg separating apparatus having a traveling conveyor and a plurality of egg contents receiving receptacles pivotally mounted in single line lrelation on said traveling conveyor, said receptacles being mounted to swing on an axis extending in the direction of travel of the conveyor, means extending along the conveyor for supporting the receptacles when they are in contents receiving position extending outwardly of said conveyor, means on the receptacles which is movable into and out of engaging relation with said receptacle supporting means to permit certain of said receptacles to swing to depending relation on said conveyor, a washing mechanism for the receptacles positioned beneath the conveyor in the path of the receptacles when said receptacles are in depending relation on the conveyor, said washing mechanismV including a device mounted adjacent said conveyor for discharging a fluid in a direction laterally of the conveyor and against a depending receptacle, means adjacent said conveyor for guiding the depending receptacles past said fluid discharge device as they are advanced by said conveyor so that they are moved through the iiuid discharged therefrom, a fluid line connected with said fluid discharge device for supplying said discharge device with a cleaning iluid, a control valve in said fluid line and means actuated by the depending receptacles as they advance past said uid discharge device to operate the control valve so as to discharge the uid against the receptacles.

6. In an egg separating machine, an endless conveyor,

means connected to the conveyor for driving the same, a plurality of egg separating devices mounted in single line arrangement on said conveyor for movement therewith, each of said separating devices being mounted on said conveyor to pivot on an axis extending in the direction of movement of said conveyor from a horizontal position to a depending generally vertical position, means positioned in llaterally spaced relation adjacent said conveyor for supporting said separating devices when said separating devices are positioned in laterally extended relation to said conveyor, said separating devices having an extensible member which is operative when extended for engaging with said supporting means to support said separating devices thereon, and which is operative when retracted for permitting said separating devices to swing to a depending position on said conveyor, a fluid discharge nozzle mounted adjacent a portion of said supporting means and extending in a direction to discharge a fluid laterally of the path of movement of said conveyor and into engagement with a depending separating device, means including a control valve connected to said nozzle to supply a cleaning fluid to said nozzle, and means connected to said control valve and operated by a separating device when said separating device is in depending position on said conveyor for opening and closing said valve whereby to subject selected separating devices to the fluid discharged from said nozzle as said separating devices are 'advanced past said nozzle by said conveyor.

References Cited in the le of thisrpatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,747,432 Eskholme Feb. 18, 1930 2,189,451 Peters Feb. 6, 1940 2,440,419 Trier et al Apr. 27, 1948 2,516,499 Albright July 25, 1950 2,646,163 Sigler July 21, 1953

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